I have a few Aria classicals. I. stumbled on one, years ago, and the minute I played it, I realized how wonderful they are. You are absolutely right. They are gems.
I was walking through a flea market and walking by a classical guitar plucked a string and it kept resonating as I walked down the aisle, and I had to turn back. It was a Maple body/back Aria . . . totally dried out in the desert climate but I paid the $180 and started restoring it. Everything was fine but the spruce or cedar top which was totally checked with fine cracks. It is a 1980 A553 which is a lower end, not too fancy with purfling and other inlays you see in the 'professional' models, but the wood is good. Old wood is good wood. Maple is rare because it is harder to work with, but the sound is worth it. I sanded the sound board's finish down to the wood and taught myself French Polish technique to refinish it . . . the action was very good . . . needed new machine tuners . . . but the guitar sounds awesome and it now resides in an expensive humidified case. The Japanese love classical guitar and studied the craft in Spain, and demands of export required the finest woods and aging. Don't pass one by . . . I also have an older Aria steel string acoustic, the mahogany with a deep grain . . . glassy . . . gem-like . . .
That is an awesome find. I have the same exact guitar, in very fine condition, barely played. I had always wanted a maple guitar, as it has its own unique acoustic qualities and look.
The most expensive vintage classical is, maple. $250,000 . . . I saw a 553 like mine on Reverb, very nice condition for $400. I begged my sister to buy it, to try it. But, she has two custom Spanish guitars she bought in Madrid and (snobbery alert) wasn't interested. @@baritonZIGS
I’m about to get one by coincidence same model A 588 from a friend that just passed away I loved him but before he died he was going to send it to me we were friends for about 50 years If I get the guitar I’m going to feel like he’s next to me every day 😢,, thanks ❤
I think you will find that your guitar underwent no uncertain and seious surgery with a crude neck adjustment. Cutting the heel there then reclamping and regluing to pull the neck back into original position is a common, if not crude way of dealaing with a 40 year old guitar which has has sunk into itself over time, thus making it almost impossible to adujust out the resultiing high action from string pressure over time. I have used this method on a number of occationss. I would have tried removing and filing down the bridge first, then maybe taking off the back and shaving cross struts into a convex shape to set the neck back. The cutting of the heel makes for a difficult line to fill where the neck rejoins the guitar body. But the end results is great, as the the action is once again lower off the bridge enable one to lower it without the appearance of very annoying buzzes. Most vintage Classical Japanese of this time period need a neck adjustment, unfortunately. I have around ten on my bedroom wall awaiting my attention. I will get to them one day, as I think they are wonderful instruments derserving preservation and a renewed life..
I have a A588 that has belly bulge that I am debating getting repaired. My motivation is purely aesthetic which feels lame. Even with the bridge slightly pulled up, the action is still perfect and it is the sweetest sounding classical I've played. I like that Japanese classicals are still kind of a niche thing and many have not discovered them yet.
Evaluation is always subjective. I had a Aria a560, which was the highest model of Aria. It sounded just like a new guitar for 300-400€ nowadays, nothing that fancy so that people are crazy about. Vintage japanese guitars are only hype because of dealers‘ ad, nothing more. And the one in this video sounds like a new guitar for max. 300€ for me, not more.
I agree that these guitars are over hyped. However, if you can grab a a560 for 300euro that’s damn good value for money imo. I’ve been trying to find that one for a bit
@@baritonZIGS i think that in 20 years „made in China“ guitars will be overhyped if there will be enough ad for them. The truth is, that those guitars are not bad anymore, since they continously learn from the others and use machines a lot. In that sense, even better than the japanese vintage ones…
I have a few Aria classicals. I. stumbled on one, years ago, and the minute I played it, I realized how wonderful they are. You are absolutely right. They are gems.
I was walking through a flea market and walking by a classical guitar plucked a string and it kept resonating as I walked down the aisle, and I had to turn back.
It was a Maple body/back Aria . . . totally dried out in the desert climate but I paid the $180 and started restoring it.
Everything was fine but the spruce or cedar top which was totally checked with fine cracks. It is a 1980 A553 which is a lower end, not too fancy with purfling and other inlays you see in the 'professional' models, but the wood is good. Old wood is good wood. Maple is rare because it is harder to work with, but the sound is worth it.
I sanded the sound board's finish down to the wood and taught myself French Polish technique to refinish it . . . the action was very good . . . needed new machine tuners . . . but the guitar sounds awesome and it now resides in an expensive humidified case.
The Japanese love classical guitar and studied the craft in Spain, and demands of export required the finest woods and aging.
Don't pass one by . . . I also have an older Aria steel string acoustic, the mahogany with a deep grain . . . glassy . . . gem-like . . .
That is an awesome find. I have the same exact guitar, in very fine condition, barely played. I had always wanted a maple guitar, as it has its own unique acoustic qualities and look.
The most expensive vintage classical is, maple. $250,000 . . . I saw a 553 like mine on Reverb, very nice condition for $400. I begged my sister to buy it, to try it. But, she has two custom Spanish guitars she bought in Madrid and (snobbery alert) wasn't interested. @@baritonZIGS
Nice master piece!!!!
I’m about to get one by coincidence same model A 588 from a friend that just passed away I loved him but before he died he was going to send it to me we were friends for about 50 years If I get the guitar I’m going to feel like he’s next to me every day 😢,, thanks ❤
I think you will find that your guitar underwent no uncertain and seious surgery with a crude neck adjustment. Cutting the heel there then reclamping and regluing to pull the neck back into original position is a common, if not crude way of dealaing with a 40 year old guitar which has has sunk into itself over time, thus making it almost impossible to adujust out the resultiing high action from string pressure over time. I have used this method on a number of occationss. I would have tried removing and filing down the bridge first, then maybe taking off the back and shaving cross struts into a convex shape to set the neck back. The cutting of the heel makes for a difficult line to fill where the neck rejoins the guitar body. But the end results is great, as the the action is once again lower off the bridge enable one to lower it without the appearance of very annoying buzzes. Most vintage Classical Japanese of this time period need a neck adjustment, unfortunately. I have around ten on my bedroom wall awaiting my attention. I will get to them one day, as I think they are wonderful instruments derserving preservation and a renewed life..
I have a A588 that has belly bulge that I am debating getting repaired. My motivation is purely aesthetic which feels lame. Even with the bridge slightly pulled up, the action is still perfect and it is the sweetest sounding classical I've played. I like that Japanese classicals are still kind of a niche thing and many have not discovered them yet.
It’s hard to not get addicted to collecting them.
I have one that I bought recently. It Needs some minor work. Already sounds heavenly.
Do you know if the Aria 548 is a descent model… better or worse than 588?
Slightly lower end model, but I’m sure it still sounds great
how much would a good condition Aria A588 serial 289 be worth?
250-300 if in good condition
thanks man
Is Aria AC 40 still available on the market? How do you rank it? What should I pay if I find someone? Thanks
Is it the 40 with rosewood backs and sides?
@@baritonZIGS I think so. I think it is cedar and rosewood.
Looks like mid range $500-1000. If price is right would be a solid buy
@@baritonZIGS Thanks very much for the info.
Is the Aria 578s a good model too?
it depends on when it was built
@@baritonZIGS in 1975
❤😂😂😂😂😂😂
Evaluation is always subjective. I had a Aria a560, which was the highest model of Aria. It sounded just like a new guitar for 300-400€ nowadays, nothing that fancy so that people are crazy about. Vintage japanese guitars are only hype because of dealers‘ ad, nothing more.
And the one in this video sounds like a new guitar for max. 300€ for me, not more.
I agree that these guitars are over hyped. However, if you can grab a a560 for 300euro that’s damn good value for money imo. I’ve been trying to find that one for a bit
@@baritonZIGS i think that in 20 years „made in China“ guitars will be overhyped if there will be enough ad for them. The truth is, that those guitars are not bad anymore, since they continously learn from the others and use machines a lot. In that sense, even better than the japanese vintage ones…